Great Wines from Our Trip to Umbria, Tuscany + Sardinia
You Can Buy Locally from $18 to $100+
Stumbling on a small mom-and-pop winery in the middle of Italy can be a great joy. You sit with the winemaker, often in their kitchen/tasting room, and listen to stories about their passion projects. But ask where you can find a bottle in the States you typically hear, “We’re looking for a US distributor.” The good news is that some of the best wine we tasted in Umbria, Tuscany, and Sardinia is available in the US.
[left, a tasting at Tenuta Olianas, with some distribution in the US]
Following is our list of favorite wines from Umbria, Tuscany, and Sardinia that you can buy in the US now.
| Wine | Producer | Grapes | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHITE | ||||
| Vermentino 2024 | Volpaia Radda in Chianti | Vermentino | Vermentino perfection, full of grapefruit, minerality, and smooth tannins; well integrated with just the right amount of acidity. | $20 Raeder’s Wine |
| Vermentino di Sardegna 2024 | Olianas Sardinia | Vermentino | Straw yellow; floral and citrus notes on the nose. Fruity, with good balance of acidity. | $15 [2023] Luekens Wine & Spirits |
| Grrechetto DOC Colli Perugini 2024 | Goretti Perugia | Grechetto | Crisp, tart, and flavorful; full mouthfeel; very food friendly. Quintessential Umbrian white! | $18 Post Wines |
| RED | ||||
| Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Riserva 2019 | Sassetti Livio Pertimali Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Oaky nose with leader and cigar notes. Beautifully smooth from start to finish. A well-polished Brunello, rated 99 by James Suckling…and us! | $100 Woodland Hills Wine |
| Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2019 | Fattoria Dei Barbi Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | Beautiful vanilla toast and cigar box on the nose. Palate like what you imagine the finest velvet would taste like. | $93 ReserveBar |
| Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018 | Casato Prime Donne Montalcino | Sangiovese Grosso | This wine is a work of art on the palate, with a slow-release of intense red fruits enveloped by velvet tannins and balanced minerality and acidity. Rated 90 – 94 points but deserves 98 at least! | $133 Saratoga Wine |
| Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 | Volpaia Radda in Chianti | Sangiovese | Scents of leathered humidor, smoke, and finest pipe tobacco. Stays silky smooth throughout. Textbook standard for Riserva. | $45 JJ Buckley |
| Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG San Lorenzo 2021 | Castello Di Ama Gaiole in Chianti | 80% Sangiovese 10% each 10% Black Malvasia + Merlot | Toasty oak/vanilla nose with hints of leathered cigar humidor + green pepper. Harmonious mix of silky tannins, black fruits + long finish | $50 Station Plaza Wine |
| Balifico 2021 | Volpaia Radda in Chianti | 65% Sangiovese 35% Cab Sauv | Scents of fine pipe tobacco and leathered cigar humidor; hints of black cherry reduction. Concentrated velvety red fruits, baking spice and even some licorice. Tiganello better watch out; outstanding Toscana! | $105 Liquor Cave |
Happy Hunting! Next up, drinking Chianti in Chianti
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